NEET Protests: 'Don't Let Protests Be Hijacked': Annamalai's Message to Agitators, Grills Centre Over Leak

Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai, who recently quit the party, has broken his silence on the mounting protests over NEET paper leaks.

In a detailed post on X, Annamalai who recently quit the party reiterated his long-standing personal support for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), calling it a mechanism that "brought uniformity in student selection across the country" and offered underprivileged candidates a genuine opportunity to pursue medical education. However, he expressed deep concern over the repeated breaches of the examination system.

"The NEET UG question paper has leaked thrice in the last five years. Imagine the pressure this places on students who had to go through the process yet again when the system meant to ensure uniformity kept failing," he wrote. "There was no accountability, and I believe that moment marked a shift-pushing students to take to the streets and cry their hearts out."

While acknowledging that protest is a fundamental right in a democracy, Annamalai directed pointed questions at the BJP-led Centre. "Why did it take so long to initiate a dialogue with the protesters? Why was meaningful engagement delayed until the protest escalated to a flashpoint? What kept you waiting?" he asked.

He also cautioned the student leaders against allowing their agitation to be co-opted. "When a protest continues for weeks, it is natural that vested interests will step in to air views irrelevant to the original demands or try to hijack the movement entirely. If you remain silent and let them further their agenda, you are deviating from your core objectives. Please do not let that happen," he said.

Urging the central government to engage in transparent and swift action, Annamalai stressed the broader stakes involved. "The strength of any nation lies in the confidence its youth place in its institutions. If our students lose faith in the fairness and credibility of our education system, we are jeopardising the future of our nation," he added.

Annamalai has historically backed NEET even as Tamil Nadu's major political formations including the DMK and the ruling TVK have consistently opposed the all-India entrance test, arguing it disadvantages state board students.

The protests at Jantar Mantar have seen growing participation from student groups and civil society organisations. The agitating students have the backing of the Cockroach Janta Party, while climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on an indefinite hunger strike in support of the students' demands, was admitted to hospital after Delhi Police removed him from the protest site.